Duvet cover

ABSTRACT

A duvet cover for a comforter includes a front panel and a rear panel, with an opening provided in at least one of the front panel and rear panel. The front and rear panel are sized to accommodate the size of a comforter to be installed inside the duvet cover. The opening is disposed in a center third of the respective panel. The opening is oriented in one of a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/207,582, filed on Aug. 20, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This technology relates to a duvet cover that may be utilized to cover a comforter.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a comforter 10 is a thick, fluffy blanket. It may be filled with any type of material, such as synthetic fiber fill, down, or other natural and manmade materials. Comforters 10 are often quilted or stitched to secure the filling and to keep the filling evenly distributed. Comforters 10 are intended to sit on top of your sheets. Comforters 10 are sometimes sold in bedding sets that have coordinating separates. A duvet 10 is sometimes referred to as a comforter, especially in the United States. The terms duvet and comforter 10 are used interchangeably herein to refer to substantially the same thing. A duvet is a type of bedding that is a soft flat bag filled with down, feathers, wool, or a synthetic alternative. A duvet is meant to be protected with a removable cover, which is called a duvet cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an expanded perspective top view of a prior art duvet cover prior to installation of a comforter inside the duvet cover;

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective top view of another type of prior art duvet cover prior to installation of a comforter inside the duvet cover;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the prior art duvet cover of FIG. 2 with the comforter shown in FIG. 2 being inserted into the duvet cover and the cover closed;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an inner surface of a duvet cover showing the inner corners of the cover;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a top or bottom surface of a duvet cover according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a top or bottom surface of an alternative duvet cover according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a top or bottom surface of an alternative duvet cover according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top or bottom surface of an alternative duvet cover according to the invention showing different possible embodiments on a single duvet cover.

SUMMARY

A duvet cover is shown and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples described herein relate to improvements in duvet covers 20. The duvet cover 20 is a protective layer that slips over the duvet or comforter 10 and has a closure. Because duvets and comforters 10 can be expensive and difficult to clean, duvet covers 20 are useful because they protect the comforter 10 during use and are easily removed and easy to wash. With duvet covers 20, you can also quickly and easily change the look of your bed and room without having to completely redecorate.

The comforter 10 should fit snugly inside the duvet cover 20. As anyone who has ever used a duvet cover 20 knows, installing a comforter 10 inside a duvet cover 20 is often a difficult task. Known duvet covers 5, 7 typically include a closure 12 that is installed at a top or bottom end of the duvet, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 shows a prior art duvet cover 5 having a zipper closure 12 at one end of the duvet. FIGS. 2-3 show a prior art duvet cover 7 that has a flap 9 that folds over the opening of the duvet cover and that is buttoned down to the cover, such that buttons are present on a top surface of the duvet cover. Any number of different types of closure 12 have been used, including buttons, zippers, Velcro, hook and eye, and the like.

Because prior art duvet covers 5, 7 have openings 14 at one end of the duvet cover 5, 7, a user is required to reach into the cover 5, 7 to try to ensure that the comforter 10 extends to all four corners of the duvet cover 5, 7. Some prior art covers have also included connectors 11 for connecting the corners of the comforter 10 to the inner corners of the duvet cover. FIG. 4 shows a representative inner surface of a duvet cover that has connectors 11 positioned in the corners of the duvet cover 5, 7. Small X's indicate possible locations for connectors 11. Generally, only one type of connector 11 is used on a duvet cover 5, 7, 20, although different connectors 11 are shown in FIG. 4 for illustration purposes. More than one type of connector 11 may be used to couple the edges and corners of the comforter 10 inside the duvet cover 5, 7, 22. Connectors 11 that are shown include ties, buttons, snaps, a loop that can be coupled to a hook installed on the comforter 10, or vice versa. Hook and loop tape could be used, as well as other known connecting mechanisms.

The example duvet cover 20 is shown in FIGS. 5-8 and designed to make the installation of a comforter 10 inside a duvet cover 20 easier by providing the user with easier access to the interior of the duvet cover 20. This permits a user to more easily spread out a comforter 10 inside a duvet cover 20. The example duvet cover 20 described herein makes it easier for a user to install a comforter 10 inside a duvet cover 20 by providing the cover 20 with a more centrally located opening 22.

The example duvet cover 20 has a first panel 18 and a second panel. The first panel 16 represents a top or a bottom surface of the duvet cover 20 and the second panel represents the other of the top or bottom surfaces of the duvet cover 20. The first and second panels are sewn together around their outer peripheral edges 16 and an opening 22 is provided on one of the panels 18 for receiving a comforter 10 therein. The examples shown and described in FIGS. 5-8 have an opening 22 that is advantageous for installing a comforter 10 inside the cover 20. The first panel 18 may be made of one or more parts and the second panel may be made of one or more parts, as long as they are sewn together around the outer periphery 16 of the panel. The opening 22 in the duvet cover 20 can be formed from multiple pieces of fabric overlapping or adjoining one another, or by a single piece of fabric that has been cut to reveal an opening 22.

In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the duvet cover opening 22 extends vertically along at least part of the length L of the duvet cover 20. As shown, the duvet cover 20 is broken schematically into thirds width-wise, and the opening 22 extends longitudinally (along the length L) in the center third of the duvet cover 20. FIG. 5 shows the opening 22 substantially or about in the center of the respective panel, although the opening 22 could be positioned anywhere within the center ⅓ and still be advantageous.

The back (e.g., side that faces downwardly in use) of the duvet cover 20 is shown in FIG. 5, but the opening 22 could alternatively be positioned on a front side of the duvet cover 20. The opening 22 shown extends along part of the length L of the duvet cover 20 such that it is spaced from the top and bottom ends of the duvet cover 20. As such, part of the back of the duvet cover 20 is positioned between the ends of the opening 22 and the top and bottom ends of the duvet cover 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, which is used to provide an illustration of a different size and orientation for the opening 22, the opening 22 could extend all the way to the top and bottom ends of the cover 20, as long as the opening 22 is located in the center third of the duvet cover 20. The position of the center third is subjective based upon which angle or position on the cover 20 is chosen. By positioning the opening 22 in a more centrally disposed location, it allows the user to more easily install the comforter 10 inside the duvet cover 20. If connectors 11 are used to connect the corners or edges of the comforter 10 to the interior of the duvet cover 20, the user will not be required to reach across the entire length of the cover 20, as with prior art embodiments.

FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, except the opening 22 extends horizontally (or transversely relative to the length) across the width W of the duvet cover 20. The back of the duvet cover 20 (or the side that would face the bed) is shown in FIG. 6, although the opening 22 could also be on the front side of the duvet cover 20, if desired. Similar to FIG. 5, the duvet cover 20 is broken into thirds, that extend longitudinally, so that a top third is at a top end of the duvet cover 20 and a bottom third is at a bottom end of the duvet cover 20. The opening 22 is positioned inside the middle-third of the duvet cover 20.

The opening 22 shown in FIG. 6 extends along part of the width W of the duvet cover 20, but is spaced from the sides of the duvet cover 20 such that part of the back of the duvet cover 20 is positioned between the end of the opening 22 and the top and bottom ends of the duvet cover 20. As previously described above, FIG. 8 is used to provide an illustration of a different size for the opening 22, the opening 22 of FIG. 6 could extend all the way to the sides of the duvet cover 20, as long as it is located in the center third of the duvet cover 20. By positioning the opening 22 in a more centrally disposed location, it allows the user to more easily install the comforter 10 inside the duvet cover 20. If connectors 11 are used to connect the corners or edges of the comforter 10 to the interior of the duvet cover 20, the user will not be required to reach across the entire length of the cover 20, as with prior art embodiments.

FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, except the opening 22 extends diagonally across the length L and width W of the duvet cover 20, from corner to corner. The back of the duvet cover 20 (or the side that would face the bed) is shown in FIG. 7, although the opening 22 could also be on the front side of the duvet cover 20, if desired. Similar to FIG. 5, the duvet cover 20 is broken schematically into thirds, that extend diagonally along the length L and width W, so that a top, left third is at a top, left end of the duvet cover 20 and a bottom, right third is at a bottom, right end of the duvet cover 20. The opening 22 is positioned inside the middle, diagonal third of the duvet cover 20.

The opening 22 shown in FIG. 7 extends along part of the length of the duvet cover 20, but is spaced slightly from the corners of the duvet cover 20 such that part of the back of the duvet cover 20 is positioned between the end of the opening 22 and the corners of the duvet cover 20. As shown in FIG. 8, which is used to provide an illustration of a different size for the opening 22, the opening 22 could extend all the way to the corners of the duvet cover 20, as long as it is located in the center third of the duvet cover 20. The opening 22 could be shorter or longer than that shown in FIG. 7. By positioning the opening 22 in a more centrally disposed location, it allows the user to more easily install the comforter 10 inside the duvet cover 20. If connectors 11 are used to connect the corners or edges of the comforter 10 to the interior of the duvet cover 20, the user will not be required to reach across the entire length L or width W of the cover 20, as with prior art embodiments.

As discussed above, FIG. 8 is provided in order to show how the openings 22 could extend all the way to the outer peripheral edges 16 of the duvet cover 20. Generally, only a single opening 22 will be used on a duvet cover 20 at one time, although multiple openings 22 could be provided, if desired. While only a left diagonal opening 22 is shown in FIG. 8, the diagonal could alternatively be a right diagonal that extends from the upper right to the lower left corners.

While the various openings 22 are shown being centrally disposed, they could be positioned anywhere inside the central third of each duvet cover 20. With the diagonal opening 22, the opening 22 does not have to extend exactly from corner to corner. The diagonal should be within the central, diagonal third of the duvet cover 20, as shown in FIG. 7. While all the openings 22 are shown as being formed as straight lines, the openings 22 could be wavy, curved, zig zag, or some other shape. They are not required to be straight line openings 22.

Any type of closure 12 may be used, including buttons, snaps, hook and loop tape, and the like to close the opening 22. The fabric of the duvet cover 20 may overlap itself at the opening 22, if desired. This may be beneficial when buttons and snaps are used, as long as the opening 22 is in the central third of the cover 20. Alternatively, the fabric at the opening 22 could abut itself, such as when a zipper 12 is used. Combinations of closures 12, such as buttons and zippers, or Velcro and buttons, could be used, if desired.

The duvet cover 20 may be made of any type of material desired, as known by those of skill in the art. Closures 12 may be coupled to the duvet cover 20 in any known manner.

According to one example, a duvet cover 20 for a comforter 10 includes a front panel 18, a rear panel, and an opening 22 provided in at least one of the front panel 18 and the rear panel. The front panel 18 and rear panel are sized to accommodate the size of a comforter 10 to be installed inside the duvet cover 20. The opening 22 is disposed in a center third of the respective panel, with the opening 22 being oriented in one of a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation.

The opening 22 may be vertical. When the opening 22 is vertical, the opening 22 may extend substantially along the length L of the duvet cover 20, with the respective panel having a left third, a center third, and a right third defined across the width of the respective panel.

The opening 22 may be horizontal. When the opening 22 is horizontal, the opening 22 may extend substantially across the width W of the duvet cover 20, with the respective panel having a top third, a center third, and a bottom third defined along the length of the respective panel.

The opening 22 may be diagonal. When the opening 22 is diagonal, the opening 22 may extend substantially from the vicinity of a first top corner to the vicinity of a second, opposite, bottom corner. The respective cover 20 has a left-most third, a center third, and a right-most third that extends from corner to corner of the duvet cover 20.

The duvet cover 20 may also include a closure 12 coupled to the opening 22 for closing the opening 22. The closure 12 may be a zipper, snaps, buttons, hook and loop tape, or a combination thereof.

The front and rear panels may be sewn together entirely around their outer peripheral edges 16. The opening 22 may extend across at least part of the extent (L, W) of the respective panel. The opening 22 may extend across the entire extent (L, W) of the respective panel. Part of the respective panel may be positioned between one of the outer peripheral edges 16 and an end of the opening 22. Connectors 11 may be positioned in an interior of the cover 20 for joining the comforter 10 to the cover 20 upon installation of the comforter 10 inside the cover 20. The opening 22 may have a shape that is straight, curved, wavy, zig-zag, or a combination thereof. More than one opening 22 may be provided. More than one closure 12 may be provided on a single opening 22. For example, two zippers 12 could be used on a single opening 22, if desired.

The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A duvet cover for a comforter comprising: a front panel and a rear panel that are sized to accommodate the size of a comforter to be installed inside the duvet cover; and an opening provided in at least one of the front panel and rear panel, said opening being disposed in a center third of the respective panel, with the opening being oriented in one of a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation.
 2. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein when the opening is vertical, the opening extends substantially along the length of the duvet cover, with the respective panel having a left third, a center third, and a right third defined across the width of the respective panel.
 3. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein when the opening is horizontal, the opening extends substantially across the width of the duvet cover, with the respective panel having a top third, a center third, and a bottom third defined along the length of the respective panel.
 4. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein when the opening is diagonal, the opening extends substantially from the vicinity of a first top corner to the vicinity of a second, opposite, bottom corner, with the respective cover having a left-most third, a center third, and a right-most third that extends from corner to corner of the duvet cover.
 5. The duvet cover of claim 1, further comprising a closure coupled to the opening for closing the opening.
 6. The duvet cover of claim 5, wherein the closure is one of a zipper, snaps, buttons, hook and loop tape, or a combination thereof.
 7. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels are sewn together entirely around their outer peripheral edges.
 8. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the opening extends across at least part of the extent of the respective panel.
 9. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the opening extends across the entire extent of the respective panel.
 10. The duvet cover of claim 7, wherein part of the respective panel is positioned between one of the outer peripheral edges and an end of the opening.
 11. The duvet cover of claim 1, further comprising connectors positioned in an interior of the cover for joining the comforter to the cover upon installation of the comforter inside the cover.
 12. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the opening has a shape that is straight, curved, wavy, zig-zag, or a combination thereof. 